plate no. 6983

Philip IV

oil, canvasBaroqueportraitportraitfiguremancollarclothinghair

some experience helpful

This painting provides a good exercise in portraiture, focusing on capturing likeness and rendering realistic skin tones. Students will also learn about creating depth through subtle value changes and soft blending.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the head, collar, and shoulders.
step 02
Establish the background color with a thin wash of burnt umber and raw sienna.
step 03
Block in the main areas of light and shadow on the face using a limited palette.
step 04
Refine the facial features, paying close attention to the shapes of the eyes, nose, and mouth.
step 05
Develop the collar with subtle gradations of gray and white.
step 06
Paint the dark clothing, using thin layers to build up depth and avoid a flat, opaque look.
step 07
Add highlights to the hair and collar to create a sense of form.
step 08
Refine the edges and details throughout the painting.

color palette

primary · titanium white · ivory black · burnt umber · raw sienna

secondary · cadmium red light · yellow ochre

Skin tones are achieved by mixing white, yellow ochre, cadmium red, and a touch of burnt umber. Dark areas are created by mixing black and burnt umber. The collar uses white with small amounts of black and burnt umber for subtle grays.

techniques